Tobacco Outlet store robbed; shot fired at clerk

Police said employee Dee Kritchard, 51, was behind the counter at 400 Euclid Ave., when two men with handguns entered the store about 5:45 p.m. One of the men pointed a handgun at her. She told him to get out of the store.

The gunman responded, “Give me the money (expletive) or I will shoot you in the head.” He fired a shot in her direction but did not hit her.

Lynda Deeds, 63, an employee who was in a back room, walked into the main room to see what had happened. The second gunman threatened to shoot her and then demanded money.

The clerks handed over the cash and the gunmen left the store, heading south on Third Street.

Police said the clerks were threatened with death several times.

A manager came to the store while police were investigating to help officers review store video of the robbery. The manager said she works at the Southeast 14th Street store and she was robbed there two weeks ago as she was leaving the building. She said the man who fired the gun inside the store at 400 Euclid Ave., on Monday looked like the man who robbed her at the Southeast 14th Street store.